Lee Carsley: I've not thought about full-time England job

Interim boss Lee Carsley says the England job is one the best in football but claims not to have given much thought to potentially becoming Gareth Southgate's permanent successor.

The national team are beginning a new chapter six weeks after Southgate called time on his eight-year reign having overseen a narrow defeat in a second straight European Championship final.

The Football Association’s recruitment process for the next senior team manager is ongoing, leading to England Under-21s boss Carsley’s temporary promotion to senior team manager.

Southgate impressed in that role having initially stepped up from the U21s on an interim basis, but the former Republic of Ireland international says this will not necessarily be the same.

"I don’t think by any means it’s a blueprint that just because you did the U21s you’re in a perfect position to take the senior team," Carsley said.

"Ultimately this is up there with the best jobs in football.

"We’ve potentially got a unique period of time, which will pass, where we’ve got some outstanding players, some really good talent, someone needs to get the absolute best out of them.

"And we have done so far because we’ve got to the latter stage of tournaments, we’ve been so close. The best person for the job will do it."

Carsley sees himself as a "safe pair of hands" for this autumn’s Nations League fixtures, which kick off away to Ireland on 7 September before a Wembley clash with Finland.

The 50-year-old’s excitement about taking charge of England was clear during Thursday’s squad announcement but he constantly skirted around questions about whether he wants the permanent post.

"To be honest I’ve not thought about it that much," Carsley said. "Honestly I’ve not.

"My priority is just doing a good